Thales ramps up Antares production for French Army AFVs

by Christopher F Foss

Thales LAS France SAS is ramping up the production of the Antares laser warning and local situational awareness system (LWLSAS) for the French Army, the company told Janes in April.

By early April 2021 just over 80 had been completed, and a typical Antares LWLSAS production rate is to be 100 units a year, the company added.

Antares weighs less than 20 kg, and can be integrated with a platform’s NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture (NGVA).

Thales’ Antares LWLSAS provides laser warning and local situational awareness through 360 degrees. (Christopher F Foss)

Thales’ Antares LWLSAS provides laser warning and local situational awareness through 360 degrees. (Christopher F Foss)

It was accepted by the French Army following trials with a number of prototype systems that were delivered from 2016 under funding from the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA).

Antares is usually mounted on the roof or turret of an armoured fighting vehicle (AFV), and provides information if targeted by a laser rangefinder or designator, thereby enabling the crew to take action.


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Hadean, 4C Strategies integrate products to reduce training burden

by Giles Ebbutt

A screenshot of the Hadean POLI constructive simulation displayed through the 4C Strategies Exonaut training management software. (Hadean)

Hadean and 4C Strategies have successfully integrated a constructive simulation with Exonaut exercise management software, utilising Hadean's spatial computing platform.

The integrated solution, displayed at the International Training Technology Exhibition & Conference (IT²EC) 2024 in London, enabled Hadean's Pattern of Life Indicator (POLI) constructive simulation to be controlled from within 4C Strategies Exonaut software.

Exonaut is widely used in the UK and NATO as an exercise management tool, while constructive simulation is fundamental to effective command and staff training. Integrating the two previously separate functions offers the potential to improve training.

Explaining the integration, Paul Steel, UK military sales director for 4C Strategies, told Janes


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US lawmakers grill US Navy officials on proposed shipbuilding budget

by Michael Fabey

US lawmakers question the US Navy request to fund only one Virginia-class submarine (pictured) in fiscal year 2025. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

Members of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee raised concerns about the proposed US Navy (USN) plan to pare down key shipbuilding programmes on 17 April during the subcommittee hearing on the USN's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget request.

While the USN – as was the case with the rest of the Pentagon – was charged with keeping a lid on costs, lawmakers said they felt the USN went too far with some major programmes.

Connecticut Congressman and ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Joe Courtney, set the tone with his opening statement.

“The Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), which [was] passed in May 2023 to avert a default on the full faith and credit of our nation's currency and bonds, mandated a 1% increase in the Department of Defense's budget request for fiscal year 2025,” Courtney said.


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France touts new modular trainer aircraft with Spain, UK

by Gareth Jennings

With France having an approaching requirement to replace its Alpha Jets, the country has touted the possibility of a joint modular solution with Spain and the UK. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

France has raised the possibility of developing or acquiring a new modular advanced jet trainer aircraft with Spain and the United Kingdom.

Responding to a question in the National Assembly on 16 April, Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu said that, with France's Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets nearing the end of their service lives, the country is considering a replacement tied to the future training requirements of its two European neighbours.

“Beyond 2032 … all solutions are conceivable and being studied, particularly with the United Kingdom and Spain,” the minister said, adding, “These solutions consist of developing or acquiring a modular aircraft that meets the needs of both [the Patrouille de France national aerobatic display team] and ‘Red Air', but also [other] aircraft, in the light of the [training requirement for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)/Système de Combat Aérien du Futur (SCAF)] and its manned [aircraft component], the NGF [New Generation Fighter].”


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